OK first things first. Under an avalanche of emails about rumours flying around concerning the club and the standard "nouvelle" "modification"...

I was recently told by someone well placed to know, it was in the hands of our "tutors" and that "they" were making decisions about what would happen to the breed, this time.

Yes the standard size of the Barbet is going down. Visualize line 2 of the Barbet de Camargue and you have the mean/average size.

Yes, "they" are stressing the fact that some colors are not Barbet colors.The "truité" stuff came from JCH and he was probably talking about Setter colors. Yes, I know that they ought to worry about more important things that colors, but "they" don't care about what we have to say.

I do not know where the 10cms of unrolled coat came from. That would eliminate a lot of foreign dogs, off the bat. I don't know if it is true.It probably came from the Bichon frisé standard.

I, myself and me, as a French breeder and Best Breeder of 2010 from VOS CHIENS magazine for the second year in a row, thank you, have not been told anything official.

So, if "clubs" are spreading rumors...

And I have not the foggiest notion of what "hyperactivité pileuse" is.Some very intelligent person came up with that one.Was there anything else?I have just sent the club an email to ask for clarification....Will keep you informed. As usual.

Hexe, a lovely female typical of the line 2: of the Barbet de Camargue,similar to Hercule, Sangria, Thelma, passed on this week.She was born at Georgii's. Died of spleen cancer which is "normal" in older dogs.( NOT a Barbet condition)

I am not sure it is a record as there have been more and generally people contact people who pass the word around. I think that many don't know that before them, there were others and with "others" there were Barbets and "others".

The French club was, at one point only for Barbet which really made no difference with today as nothing happened to help the breed.What did happen is the arrival of a smaller, more compact dog, yes, curly, but with a bigger head than a poodle and who was promoted as a truffle dog.The Lagotto. It really has nothing to do with a Barbet, but it is a water dog.Key words: smaller, utilitarian, nice looking.

The Barbet not ever having been promoted as a Griffon with a long curly coat, which is what it is historically, was transformed into a poodle, but taller. Taller means more expensive to feed, and more space to take up.More of a woman dog.That looks like a poodle!As opposede to a Lagotto, for example.

The Barbet being promoted as a poodle, and France being the country of the poodle, well.....buying a poodle is easier.So, bad promotion ( or no promotion) of the breed and competion, rarity turned away most.It certainly was not the price! Many depreciated its value and we know what is expensive is better....

The Griffon Barbet, which apparently some have no clue about, is a medium sized dog as specified on the standard in 86, with a rustic coat, easily groomed and that can'y be transformed into a Bichon.Even if you try, it won't hold.

Not everyone being on the same wavelength some not even on a wavelength...and voilà. Sad.